Former Rangers boss Michael Beale has confessed Celtic may have the advantage going into the final Old Firm clash of the season - but only because of how much pressure the referee will be under from an expectant home support. 

Rangers will face their Glasgow rivals at Parkhead after the split, and with the Scottish Premiership title race looking like going down to the wire, Celtic having a packed stadium behind them could play a part. Especially because Philippe Clement's Gers won't have any supporters in the ground. 

After the exhilarating 3-3 draw in last weekend's derby, this meeting between the side's is anticipated to be pivotal in determining the outcome of who's crowned league champion. Celtic currently boast a one point lead, however Rangers have a game in hand against Dundee to come. 

And Beale, who began the 2023/24 campaign in the Ibrox hot seat before being replaced by Clement in October, was quizzed on the derby match while making an appearance on Sky Sports.

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He said: "Well, you would say it would give the home team the advantage because there’s no away fans and that puts pressure on the refs. I have been worked 18-19 Old Firm games and it’s only ever been 700 or nothing so the reality is the referee is under a lot of pressure.

“I’ve lived that in Brazil in the derbies as well. So next year, obviously with the fans going back in it’s great. I think it’s too hard to tell.

"I felt Rangers were a little bit emotional at the weekend with the ball first half because they had the fans behind them in such a big game and it helped Celtic look a little bit more composed.

“But let’s hope that they both bring the business to that game because I think it’d be a fantastic watch for everybody. It’s a huge derby and obviously there’s so much riding on it."